UNSUCCESSFUL IN NEET, A STUDENT BECAME A MONK, YOUNGER BROTHER WHO WENT TO FIND HIM, ALSO BECAME A DEVOTEE OF PREMANAND

UNSUCCESSFUL IN NEET, A STUDENT BECAME A MONK, YOUNGER BROTHER WHO WENT TO FIND HIM, ALSO BECAME A DEVOTEE OF PREMANAND

21-JULY-ENG 11

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Siddhant’s grandfather, Vipin Prasad Singh, expressed sadness over his grandson becoming an ascetic but stated that his grandson's happiness is what matters most to him. The grandfather added that while many young men take drastic steps—such as turning to crime, abandoning their studies, or even resorting to suicide—after failing an exam, his grandson chose a different path; he embraced *vairagya* (detachment/renunciation)...

A surprising case linked to failure in the NEET exam has come to light. While youth across the country are protesting at Jantar Mantar over issues like the NEET paper leak and the suicides of students preparing for the exam, a student in Bihar's Bhojpur district chose devotion to Lord Krishna and Premanand Ji Maharaj instead of taking a drastic step after failing the test. The incident occurred in the Sheetal Tola area under the jurisdiction of the Town Police Station in Bhojpur. It is reported that the two sons of Kumar Vishal, a resident of Sheetal Tola, stunned the family; the elder son left home to become an ascetic after failing the NEET exam, and the younger brother, who set out to find him, followed the same path and reached Vrindavan.

According to reports, Kumar Vishal's elder son, Siddhant Vishal, was preparing for NEET. In 2023, he went to Kota (Rajasthan) for coaching and continued his preparations through 2025. After failing to succeed in 2025 as well, he became mentally distressed. On the morning of June 14, 2025, around 4 AM, he left home without informing anyone. His family searched extensively but found no clues; subsequently, a missing person report was filed at the Town Police Station. Meanwhile, in December 2025, his younger brother, Sarthak Vishal, also left home in search of his elder brother. The family believed he had gone to look for his brother, but he, too, went missing. The police continued their search. About five days ago, information was received that Siddhant was at the 'Susukhral Upvan' in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. A police team subsequently arrived there and located him. During questioning, Siddhant revealed that after facing repeated failures in Kota, he lost interest in his studies. He felt that embracing asceticism was the only way to find the true path in life. After arriving in Vrindavan, he shaved his head, donned saffron robes, and is now known as 'Shyam Baba.' He stated that he has no desire to return to domestic or worldly life. It was learned that his younger brother, Sarthak, had also lived in Vrindavan for a long time; however, the two brothers stayed in different locations and never met. Sarthak eventually returned home.

Siddhant's grandfather, Vipin Prasad Singh, expressed sadness over his grandson becoming an ascetic but noted that his grandson's happiness was his own greatest joy. He added that while many young men turn to crime, abandon their education, or are driven to suicide after failing exams, his grandson chose a different path—embracing a life of renunciation, which is far more challenging than a householder's life. He is currently at the ashram of the renowned saint Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj, pursuing his ascetic journey under the saint's guidance; this is a source of pride for the grandfather.

He remarked that no student from Bhojpur district had ever chosen such a difficult path at this age before; however, his grandson has opted for a life of renunciation—a decision that is entirely his own and one with which the family is content. The grandfather explained that the elder grandson had initially left for Vrindavan without informing anyone; upon learning this, the younger brother followed him there and also became immersed in devotion, although he maintains contact with the family and visits home. Now, their parents are also on the verge of becoming devoted followers of Premanand Ji Maharaj. Police officer Parinita Kumari from the Town Police Station, accompanied by ASI Vidu Bhushan, traveled to Vrindavan in connection with this case. Sub-Inspector Parinita Kumari stated that while the family had initially filed a kidnapping complaint, the investigation revealed that the student had gone to Vrindavan of his own volition to pursue a life of renunciation. With the assistance of the local police, the team brought the student back and had his statement recorded in court. In court, the student declared that he did not wish to lead a householder's life and wanted to return to the ashram in Vrindavan. He will be produced before the court under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and further legal action will be taken in accordance with the court's orders.